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Suzuki brothers play against each other for first time in OHL

Owen Sound Attack centre Nick Suzuki, foreground left, was met by his younger brother Ryan Suzuki, far right, a centre with the Barrie Colts, as the elder Suzuki tried to get in position to take a shot on Colts netminder Kai Edmonds during an Ontario Hockey League exhibition game Sunday at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Denis Langlois/The Owen Sound Sun Times/Postmedia Network

Ryan Suzuki says his big brother Nick has always been his biggest role model in hockey.

“I went to a lot of his games in minor hockey and watched a lot of the little things he does and whenever I skate with him, I try to pick up some new things. He's been my biggest inspiration pretty much my whole life,” Ryan said Sunday after his Barrie Colts lost 5-1 to the Owen Sound Attack in Ontario Hockey League exhibition play at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

Eighteen-year-old Nick Suzuki is the skilled sophomore centre with the Attack, who was drafted 13th overall by the Las Vegas Golden Knights in this summer's NHL Entry Draft.

His 16-year-old brother Ryan, also a centre, is a rookie with Barrie after being selected by the Colts as the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection in April.

With their parents and other family members in the stands, the Suzuki brothers faced off against each other to open Sunday's game and were opponents on the ice several times throughout the contest.

Nick Suzuki even got a penalty for slashing his younger brother in the third period.

“I saw him skating to the bench and I just gave him a little tap and apparently I slashed him hard enough to get a penalty. I think it was just more of a love tap to welcome him,” Nick said.

Nick and Ryan, who are from London, Ont., never played with or against each other in minor hockey, but they did play many road hockey games and scrimmages together growing up.

So Sunday's game was a first for the brothers.

“It's definitely a different thing to play your brother in the OHL but I think he did really well tonight,” Nick said after the game.

“He got an assist too so I think he looked good out there and it was fun to play against him.”

Ryan said it was nice seeing a familiar face on the ice.

“But, at the same, you kind of have to focus on your game and not worry about him too much. But it was fun seeing him out there. He gave me a little slash but he got a penalty for it and I was laughing at him for that one,” he said.

The Suzuki brothers' parents, Amanda and Rob, said they were beaming with pride watching their two sons play Sunday.

“It's one of those dreams come true to see both boys play together at this level,” Amanda said.

Rob said they weren't cheering for a team to win Sunday, but rooting for both of their sons to do well.

Amanda said now that she and Rob are empty-nesters, they will be able to travel more often from their home in London to both Owen Sound and Barrie to watch their sons play.

Amanda said Nick and Ryan were “very close” growing up and are both awesome kids.

“They're very humble and they're good teammates and linemates,” she said.

The Attack led 1-0 after the first period Sunday and 3-0 after the second.

After Sunday's game, Nick Suzuki said he sees great things ahead for the Attack this season.

“We've got a lot of good players and we've got a lot of guys coming back who have been through the OHL and have experience there. From what I've seen, I think we can be a top team,” he said.

The Owen Sound Attack are next in action on Labour Day with a 6 p.m. game against the Colts in Barrie. After that, the Attack will face the Oshawa Generals Sept. 13 on the road. The Attack will wrap up their exhibition schedule with a pair of games against the North Bay Battalion: Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Lumley-Bayshore and Sept. 17 in North Bay.

The Attack's first game of the regular season is Sept. 23 when they play host to the Flint Firebirds at 7:30 p.m. at the Lumley-Bayshore.

SLAPSHOTS: The Attack announced Saturday the signings of three players at the conclusion of training camp. Defenceman Igor Chibrikov and forwards Jackson Doherty and Marino Moro were signed to OHL Standard Player Agreements, bringing the Attack's exhibition roster to 27 players. The trio join Mitchell Russell and Mack Guzda as recent rookie signings.